Category: What you will see is more and more arrests and prosecutions of professionals for escrow and trust violations

Regrettably the crackdown of prescription medication, particularly opiates like Oxycondone, Oxycontin, Percocet and Vicodin has had a terrible side effect. As the price of “Blues” goes up due to the reduction in supply, people addicted the pills have turned to shooting heroin or snorting heroin. Heroin on the street now goes for as little as ten to fifteen dollars a bag. As a criminal defense lawyer in Sarasota, I am saddened to see people switching from pills to heroin. The more the police crackdown on the numerous pill mills and doctor shopping, the greater the heroin epidemic.
I spoke with an addict in jail today charged with burglary and grand theft. He was stealing to support his $1000 a day heroin habit. He originally became addicted when one of the pain management doctors wrote him script after script for Oxycodone. Once the Oxycodone became unavailable he switched to the cheaper and more available hard stuff. Now he has tracks in his arms and is sitting in jail looking at State Prison on burglary of a dwelling and theft. The police need to provide an alternative when the supply of Oxys is cut off. Many people are turning to the Internet to get Opiates. They are led to believe that the DEA cannot track them. Think again! The Feds are tightening the noose on the offshore pill suppliers and I promise you, they can track your order right to your door.
If you are addicted and if it is ruining your life you need help. If you have been arrested for possession of a controlled substance or trafficking in Heroin because of the quantity you got caught with. You need help, not prison. I have been in the criminal justice system all my adult life as an agent, prosecutor and for the last 25 years a practicing experienced criminal defense attorney. I help people from Lee to Hillsborough. There is no charge for a free telephone consultation. Call today before you get busted and explore your alternatives 941-366-3506

Several years of hard times for professionals like escrow agents, real estate brokers, investment advisors and attorneys can lead to bad judgment when it comes to escrow accounts. No one really intends to steal or embezzle from an escrow account but the simple fact is that sometimes licensed professionals “borrow” from an escrow accounts with every intention or returning the money. The reality is that good intentions fall by the wayside in hard economic times. We are in February of 2015 and we have now had bad economic conditions for several years followed by better times, however sometimes people can not financially recover leading to desperate measures.As a Sarasota criminal defense attorney representing professions like attorneys, bankers, stock brokers and insurance agents I hear the other side of the story and understand the reasons why a lapse in judgment may lead to a criminal charge. For an attorney, borrowing from a trust account can lead to disbarment and even worse yet, jail. Over the next few years you will see less and less prosecutions for mortgage fraud as the Statute of Limitations takes effect and bars prosecution. What you will see is more and more arrests and prosecutions of professionals for escrow and trust violations. You can also expect audits and probes in the dealings of charities and charitable agencies and their officers.As a former Federal Agent and former Federal Prosecutor and thirty year veteran criminal defense lawyer I have represented those accused of white collar crime in both Federal Court in Florida. Escrow transgressions can happen and in some cases restitution may be an alternative to federal prison or years in the Florida DOC.
If you receive a notice that your escrow in being audited and you have a genuine problem, call today for a free consultation. If you get a Grand Jury subpoena or a visit from and IRS agent or FBI agent, exercise your right to remain to remain silent and your right to counsel and call today 941 366 3506